Could this be the beginning of the end of Facebook? User complaints, no privacy, and data sharing seem to be in the news a lot lately. Is it time for something better to take over? Could Steemit and the Steem ecosystem be the ones to take Facebook's place?
I happened to be on Facebook today when I came across several posts giving instructions on how to delete your account. You can read the instructions on how delete your account here. I don't mean deactivating it, I mean completely deleting it. I have never really seen posts about it before today. From what I've read so far it appears that Facebook is reportedly under FTC investigation for sharing user data.
From the article which you can read in full here:
"Facebook agreed to the settlement, known as a consent decree, in 2011, after allegedly deceiving users over how much personal information they were sharing. The FTC argued that Facebook had misled users by not explaining, among other problems, how much data third-party apps received. As part of the settlement, Facebook agreed to rules governing its users’ privacy, including receiving express consent before using data beyond privacy settings." -The Verge
and
"After news broke last week that Cambridge Analytica obtained information on 50 million Facebook users through a seemingly innocuous app, starting in 2014, some former FTC officials behind the 2011 order speculated yesterday in The Washington Post about whether Facebook had violated the decree. If the FTC ultimately decides Facebook did violate the agreement, the company could be open to millions in fines, according to the Post — not to mention even more public outrage for violating the landmark privacy deal." -The Verge
Most People Do Not Care About Privacy, Yet
When I talk to people about privacy, a lot of people I know have told me that companies using their information or selling it to other people doesn't really bother them. I think we, as a society are so used to our whole lives being shared on Social Media that we rarely think of the implications we might face later down the road.
I have to admit I felt that same way about privacy a couple years ago. When I heard some backlash about Amazon's Alexa constantly listening to everything it picks up my first thought was "Well, if you have nothing to hide what is the problem?" I realize now that that way of thinking is wrong. I think getting into cryptocurrency, especially researching the first crypto I ever bought (Pillar) changed my mind. Pillar is trying to change the way we protect our information with their wallet.
Taking back our information will be the next revolution, and blockchain tech and decentralization is the answer we have all been waiting for. Other people might be slower to learn but they will understand it eventually.
People Are Getting Sick of Facebook
User retention is down across the board for Facebook, and after being on the site for more than 10 minutes anyone can guess why. They marketed Facebook as being "free" but in reality while you are not paying for a monthly subscription you are paying with your personal data. The whole thing is 100% based on showing you ads. People are getting sick of it. They are leaving. This is a prime opportunity for something to take its place... something better, something decentralized, ..something like Steemit.
But is Steemit ready for a billion users? No....not yet at least. And if you need proof of that, ask my friend who signed up only a couple days after I did, and never received a confirmation email to finish setting up his account. I ended up using Steem Connect to make an account for him, and delegated him some of my Steem Power.
My friend would make an amazing addition to the Steemit Community. He is traveling all across North and South America in a van he and his girlfriend built out for a 6 month trip. His blogging and photography skills are incredible, and he makes amazing content. Alas, he has yet to start his account, even after I delegated him. He might have lost interest. He might just be busy right now travelling, who knows. I am disappointed that he had to wait for me to figure out how to work around the system to join here.
Steemit Needs to Implement Changes Soon to be Ready for the Mass Exodus from Facebook
I am quite literally, a noob here. But I do know some things that I think need to be changed in order for Steemit to rival Facebook.
The user registration process NEEDS TO BE FASTER. I know that Ned and the others mentioned this in a recent video and they said they are changing the way they are on boarding people. I have yet to see this change implemented. It doesn't need to be instant, but it needs to be faster than weeks. People lose interest in things quickly, especially if they are made to wait forever to get an account registered.
The website needs to be simplified. It took me weeks of reading endlessly to finally get how things work around here. The average person will not bother. It took over a week for me to realize that the price of SBD was no longer pegged, and I was really trying hard to learn as fast as I could.
There needs to be a good mobile app. I know this is another thing that Ned said they were working on, and they also mentioned that they refuse to release an app until its perfect, but this should be a main priority. Most people use their phones for everything. I specifically bought a laptop for Steemit, but 99% of users wont.
The Communities Feature needs to be implemented. Steemit started off as a blogging platform, but the only way it will ever be mass adopted is if it becomes less of a blogging platform and more of a "Social Media" platform. Most people do not know how to write content. Sure we are used to sharing tid- bits of our lives, but not writing actual articles. I really do think that Communities on Steemit will allow this place to turn into a place for discourse. From what I understand you will be able to go into different communities like you would "sub reddits" on Reddit.
Yes I know that the trending page needs to be addressed as well, I know that when I started here I saw posts with thousand dollars payouts and thought I could do the same. Other people will get discouraged too.
I know that a lot of people have other complaints about Steemit like the "whale wars" but the other points I mentioned are things that I think will come eventually. If Ned and Steemit Inc want their SMT dream to become reality, I think they need to perfect their flagship product . How can you promise such a revolutionary concept and how well it will work when you don't make your example of it (Steemit) the best it can be? I hope that Steemit isn't going by the wayside while they focus on SMTs.
So, are you still using Facebook? Do you think that Steemit can handle the masses of people that are going to come on board if we start another bull run in the crypto-sphere? Do you have any ideas that could make Steemit better? I would love to hear from you in the comments below! Thank you so much for taking the time to read my post, I appreciate it! -Emily